Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Training, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs

Tracy Franken: Retired Vet Tech , Dog Trainer, Dog Lover, Dog Bond Specialist 🐾

Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of ā€œjust good dogsā€ I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!

  1. 17H AGO

    178 | Is ā€˜Good Enough’ Keeping Your Dog Stuck? The Hidden Cost of Avoidance in Fearful Dogs

    Hey Dog Lover! 🐾 Have you ever settled for ā€œgood enoughā€ with your dog because pushing felt risky, exhausting, or unfair? Do you avoid certain situations, walks, or challenges because you don’t want to make things worse — even though your dog’s world feels smaller than it used to? Have you wondered whether being gentle, patient, and understanding might actually be slowing your dog’s progress? In this episode, I’m unpacking a phase many thoughtful dog owners find themselves in — choosing ā€œgood enoughā€ because it feels safer than asking for more. We talk about how avoidance can masquerade as kindness, why reassurance without direction isn’t neutral for dogs, and how settling into ā€œgood enoughā€ can quietly keep fear and reactivity in place. This conversation isn’t about pushing your dog, ignoring fear, or demanding perfection. It’s about understanding the difference between compassion that protects… and leadership that helps your dog move forward knowing they’re not alone. Related Episode:Why Understanding Your Dog’s Fearful or Reactive Behaviour Isn’t Enough Connecting with Me Contact ā†’ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/contactPodcast ā†’ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/podcastConnect ā†’ Join the free Facebook group Living Beyond ObediencešŸ‘‰ https://www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedienceFree Resource ā†’ Take the Dogonality QuizšŸ‘‰ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Next Steps šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Step 1:Join a supportive community of thoughtful dog owners who are ready to move beyond ā€œgood enoughā€ and show up as calm, reliable leadership inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience. Step 2:Learn how your dog is wired and what they truly need from you by taking the free Dogonality Quiz.šŸ‘‰ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3: Explore deeper support inside The Fearless Framework, a relationship-first program designed to help you and your dog build confidence, trust, and forward movement together.šŸ‘‰ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless

    28 min
  2. 3D AGO

    177 | Why Understanding Your Dog's Fearful or Reactive Behaviour isn't Enough

    Hey Dog Lover, 🐾 Do you understand why your dog is fearful, reactive, or overwhelmed — but still feel stuck in the same patterns? Have you done the learning, the reframing, the mindset work… yet life with your dog still feels harder than it should? If you’ve ever thought, ā€œI get it… but nothing is really changing,ā€ this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’m talking about a phase that thoughtful, compassionate dog owners reach all the time — the moment when understanding your dog stops being enough. We explore the difference between awareness and leadership, why empathy alone doesn’t build confidence, and how it’s possible to be calm, kind, and deeply invested… yet still stuck. This episode isn’t about doing more, training harder, or fixing your dog. It’s about noticing the threshold — and understanding why camping there feels safe… and costly. Next Steps Step 1:Join a supportive community of thoughtful dog owners learning how to show up as calm, reliable leadership inside the free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience.šŸ‘‰ https://www.facebook.com/groups/LivingBeyondObedience Step 2:Discover how your dog is wired and what they actually need from you by taking the free Dogonality Quiz.šŸ‘‰ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Step 3:Explore deeper support inside The Fearless Framework, a relationship-first program designed to help you and your dog move forward together.šŸ‘‰ https://www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless Contact: https://www.beyondobedience.ca/contactPodcast: https://www.beyondobedience.ca/podcast šŸŽµ Music Credit: Shawn Trotter www.shawntrotter.com

    14 min
  3. FEB 2

    175 | You Love Your Dog—So Why Isn’t He Listening?

    Hey, dog lover! šŸ¾ You love your dog—probably more than most people, right? So why does it still feel like your dog isn’t listening? Why do they ignore your call, run the other way, or tune you out when it really matters? In this episode, we’re busting the big myth that love = relevance. (Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.) We’ll explore why your love does matter deeply—but why it isn’t the currency your dog uses to decide who to follow, trust, or prioritize. We’ll talk about how dogs view the world through a survival-based lens, why emotional closeness doesn’t automatically equal relationship strength, and how to become more relevant in your dog’s life through shared experiences, not just snuggles. This is one of those episodes that can totally shift how you see your dog’s behaviour—and help you stop taking it so personally. Hope you enjoy this one,Tracy šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Next Steps: āœ… Wanna hang out and learn more with me? Join the Fearless Framework, my 12-month online program designed to help you create an unshakable bond with your dog. You’ll build trust, relevance, and fulfillment in a way that makes living with your dog easier—no treat pouch required.šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/fearless āœ… Join our free community on Facebook Come connect with other dog lovers inside Living Beyond Obedience—share stories, post pics, ask questions, and celebrate your wins. It’s full of heart and full of hope.šŸ‘‰ Join here āœ… Want to know your dog’s unique Dogonalityā„¢? Take the free Dogonalityā„¢ Quiz and discover tips, insights, and ways to better connect with your one-of-a-kind dog.šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/quiz šŸŽµ Music credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

    18 min
  4. JAN 29

    174 | Am I Doing Enough for My Dog? The Truth About Fulfillment, Leadership & Time

    Hey, Dog Lover! šŸ¾ Ever find yourself wondering how much time your dog really needs from you each day? Is it about hours spent playing fetch—or is there something deeper that actually fills their cup? In this episode, we dive into a voice message from a listener (hi, Rachel!) who asks a question every dog lover has wrestled with: What’s a fair amount of time to spend with your dog? The answer? It’s not about time—it’s about quality, fulfillment, leadership, and rhythm. We explore what true dog fulfillment looks like (hint: it’s not just tiring them out), how to avoid being accidentally manipulated by your clever pup, and how to build a life where your dog understands the natural rhythms of the day. You’ll also get a crash course in my Leadership Scorecard and how it helps you become someone your dog truly trusts and chooses to follow—without needing a treat pouch in your pocket. Whether you’ve got a couch potato or a squirrel-chasing explorer, this episode will help you feel confident in how you're showing up for your dog. Hope you enjoy this one,Tracy šŸ¾šŸ‘£ Next Steps: āœ… Wanna hang out and learn more with me? Join the Fearless Framework, my 12-month online program designed to help you create an unshakable bond with your dog. You’ll build trust, relevance, and fulfillment in a way that makes living with your dog easier—no treat pouch required.šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/fearless āœ… Join our free community on Facebook Come connect with other dog lovers inside Living Beyond Obedience—share stories, post pics, ask questions, and celebrate your wins. It’s full of heart and full of hope.šŸ‘‰ Join here āœ… Want to know your dog’s unique Dogonalityā„¢? Take the free Dogonalityā„¢ Quiz and discover tips, insights, and ways to better connect with your one-of-a-kind dog.šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/quiz šŸŽµ Music credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

    27 min
  5. JAN 26

    173 | Still Struggling with Your ā€˜Well-Trained’ Dog? Why Obedience Isn’t the Answer

    Hey, Dog Lover! šŸ¾ In today’s myth-busting episode, we’re unpacking one of the most common misconceptions in dog training: that obedience equals leadership. You’ll learn why being able to get your dog to ā€œsitā€ or ā€œheelā€ on cue doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the one they trust to lead. We’ll talk about what real leadership looks like to your dog—from the power of calm and predictability, to understanding how dogs use space, movement, and presence to communicate. I’ll also share my Leadership Scorecard concept and why training eye contact isn’t the same as earning it. This episode is all about helping you shift from a transactional dynamic to a trust-based relationship that makes everything easier—from daily walks to big life transitions. Whether you’re new to dog behaviour or a seasoned trainer rethinking your approach, this one is for you. Hope you enjoy this episode, Tracy Next Steps šŸ‘£šŸ¾: Want to take your relationship to the next level?Jump into the Fearless Framework, my 12-month online program built for dog lovers who want to create an unshakable bond with their dog and make everyday life easier through trust, leadership, and confidence—not constant training.šŸ‘‰ beyondobedience.ca/fearless Join our free community!Come hang out with other like-minded dog lovers in the Living Beyond Obedience Facebook group for support, laughs, and lots of ā€œHow interesting!ā€ moments.šŸ‘‰ Join the group here Got a question or want to leave a voice review?I love hearing from you! Head to beyondobedience.ca/contact  and click the orange mic to drop me a message. Take the Doginalityā„¢ QuizDiscover your dog’s unique Dogonalityā„¢ and get personalized tips on how to connect and communicate more effectively with the dog you actually have.šŸ‘‰beyondobedience.ca/quiz šŸŽµ Special thanks and music credit: Shawn Trotter – shawntrotter.com

    23 min
  6. JAN 22

    172 | 3 Unexpected Ways to Bond with Your Fearful Dog

    Hey Dog Lover 🐾 If your dog flinches when you reach out… freezes when you get too close… or simply tolerates affection without really softening into it—this episode is for you. We’re a touchy-feely species. Dogs are not.Especially dogs who are fearful, anxious, or still learning to feel safe in the world. In this episode of the Fearless Dog Lover Podcast, I’m sharing three powerful, connection-deepening ways to bond with your dog—that don’t involve touch at all. You’ll learn: Why closeness isn’t the same as consent (and how to honor that difference) The subtle ways we accidentally add pressure to already-sensitive dogs How to create safety, trust, and relevance through orientation, rhythm, and presence Why the calmest moments—not the cuddliest ones—often leave the biggest mark Whether you're working with a newly adopted dog, a lifelong worrier, or just want to strengthen your relationship beyond obedience, this episode will help you stop chasing connection and start creating the space for it. Because your dog doesn’t need constant reassurance.They need you to be someone they can trust—even in the quiet. Hope you enjoy! Tracy xoxo Next Steps šŸ‘£šŸ¾ Ready to take this work deeper and truly become the calm, confident leader your dog longs to follow? Join the Fearless Framework—my 12-month online program for dog lovers navigating fear, reactivity, and unconfidence(and yes—we help the dogs too)šŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/fearless Curious about your dog’s unique Dogonalityā„¢?Take the free quiz and start understanding your dog’s needs, preferences, and patterns.šŸ‘‰ www.beyondobedience.ca/quiz Want community support and real talk from folks on the same path?Join us in the free Facebook group: Living Beyond ObediencešŸ‘‰ facebook.com/groups/livingbeyondobedience Want your question featured on a future episode?Head to beyondobedience.ca/contact, tap the orange mic, and leave me a message! šŸŽ¶ Music Credit:Shawn Trotter – www.shawntrotter.com

    19 min
4.9
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

Do you long to have a happy, confident dog you can take anywhere? Are you worried your reactive, fearful dog may hurt someone or something else? Do you have to ā€œprepareā€ yourself to take your dog for a walk around the block? Hey there! I’m Tracy, a retired vet tech turned dog trainer, mom, wife and all-around dog lover. When I realized the key to building confidence in my dog was in understanding him and NOT just tossing treats and obedience my life changed! Now I have a pack of ā€œjust good dogsā€ I trust to take anywhere. And I am sharing it all here! So put down that leash & let's get to it!

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